One of Sheffield School of Architecture’s Live Project groups was asked to create a design language that could improve the appearancef the shipping containers used for storing tools and educational materials at the Ecclesall Woods Sawmill site.

One container is near an outdoor classroom used by scout and school groups. The client wished to create a space on top of this container for teaching children about the ancient woodland, close to the tree canopy.

The retreat has been designed to help promote the innovative and sustainable use of timber. The structure was designed and built by the Live Project team from locally sourced timber, much of it from the woods themselves.